Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-08-25
sake q heInr mistress there },

sake Of being mistress there.h
Mrs. Clayton flushed angrily, but sait
nothing, and further conversation was nre
vented by the carriage stopping at tn,
depot.
Wselighted and entered the great wait
ing room which was crowded with people.
/ had never been among strangers before
and this hurrying, surging crowd fairly be
wildered me- But over all hung the con
viction that Twas going away among strange
people, with these two silent and unlovins
women, who both seemed 10 owe me a deer
and long-standing grudge. Ny heart was
ready to burst with grief, and unable to re.
strain my tears hid my face in my hands
and wept bitterly. Several people noticed
my grief, and remarks were being made as
TO the cause, when Miss Armund made he,
way TO me and, sitting down by me, endeav.
ored to pacify me by promises of fine pres.
ents, etc, and seeing that all were regard.
ing me curiously hushed my sobs and be-
came quiet.
The next moment shrill cry Of "All
Aboard" sounded through the room, and
there was a rush for the outgoing train.
Mrs. Clayton and Miss Armund, with me
between them, hastily scrambled in, getting
coach we had entered was already full of
passengers, but the ladies were given seats
somehow, and in my haste and bewilder-
ment stumbled and pitched head first into
fat old gentleman who was squeezing
himself into a seat near by.
"Gracious men he exclaimed. rather
GROSSLY, while Mrs. Clayton gave me a with
ering look from her dark eyes, which did
not add to my composure.
''See here, Sis" said kind jovial voice
at my elbow, "there don't seem to be any
place in particular for you; suppose you
take seat on my kneen
"And, almost before could comprehend
what was being done, l found myself
perched upon the knee Of handsome
young fellow Of perhaps one and twenty,
who, seeing my confusion, had taken it up
on himself to come TO my assistance.
Mrs Clayton thanked him graciously, and
Miss Armund seemed satisfied, SO / con-
cluded it was nothing improper to take the
profered seat, and, finally gaining cour-
age, dared TO glance into my companion's
face. 1t was handsome debonair face. but
yet kind and manly, and his eyes won nv
heart at once, they were so bright and kind
ly in their expression. He did not ply me
with questions, but after his firstsk Remark
continued his conversation with his COM
panions, quite number Of young men who
occupied the seats near, and guessed they
were evidently from some school or college,
for they were dressed exactly alike in
brown suits with white gloves and hats. 1
learned afterwards they were the collegians
from B. going home for their vacation.
gave the others only q glance. could
not bear their rather bold looks, and then,
too, some of them had laughed at my awlz-
wardness, and, child though l was, did
not relish being laughed at
"Well, little one" said my friend, kindly,
shave you gotten over your fright yeti
You were rather mixed up, wern't youl
Never travelled much, ehl" and he laughed,
pleasantly.
81 was never on the cars before but once y
| said, meekly, ''and don't like it--they
make such terrible noise.'
Here the other gentleman laughed loudly,
as e the idea of tho cars making noise was
very funny, indeed.
''Is that lady your mammal" asked one,
pointing to where Mrs Clayton was sitting
engaged in conversation with another lady.
mo, SIR answered. l did not like be
ing questioned by this strange fellow with
his bold, black eyes and ready tongue.
''Ths other ono, then" directing his glance
TO Miss A.mund, who, when she heard his
remark, scowled savagely.
mo, sir" / replied again l have nc
mamma at all, or papa either" and again
felt ready to weep for loneliness.
My young friend saw this, and diverted
my attention by buying some fine oranges
of a boy who was offering them for sale.
Presenting me with couple of the finest
ones, he said, cheerfully: ''Now eat these,